KUNG-FU’S POWER FORM TRADITIONAL KUNG-FU STYLES TURN TO THE UBIQUITOUS SAM CHIEN FORM TO PRODUCE FIGHTING POWER By Alex Co jhe sam chiervsan chin kata (form) is one among ‘the most popular forms in both the southern kung fu forms and karate. Southern kung-fu styles such ‘as ngo cho kun (five ancestor fists), white crane, dog fist, southern mantis and tai cho (emperor) are among the styles that utlize sam chien as their basic nucleus form. ‘Okinawan karate styles lke goju-ryu and uechi-ryu also use the sam chien kata as a highly important form for power development. Most other styles adopt the sam chien/san chin stance when performing the sam chier/san chin: the straight body posture, the squeezing in ofthe buttock muscles and the tucking in of the upper thighs. This also serves as the per- fect posture for chi kung practice. Even the advanced tit sien (iron wire) form of hung gar adopts this stance in its Iron wire form, used primarily as a chi kung development form. But despite all these, and its seeming importance in other various styles, the sam chien/san chin is seldom used for fighting. Just try to examine the different southem kung- fu styles or the goju-ryu or uechi-ryu karate practtioners. How often can you see them using the san chin stance for fighting? The only other style that seems to use a similar stanoe is the famous wing chun styl. ‘So why is this stance seldom used for fighting? Has it been relegated to the background as simply just a power training posture? | don't think so. One of the reasons is just plain and simple ignorance; this stance is actually intended for use in closed in-fighting or in-close-quarter combat. ‘Most everyone is comfortable fighting trom a sate as- tance and using the sports-oriented styles. They adopt the habit of shuffling around much ike a boxer, which is most ADOPTING THE SAM CHIEN STANCE ‘Stand straight naturally (1). Take one step forward with your ‘ight leg (2). Bond both knees as you tuck inthe thighs, with your body weight resting 60 percent on the back leg (left) and 40 percent on the front leg (right). The front legis tilted in lightly at 30 degrees (3). nsioakung-1u.com DECEMBER 202° 67“Okinawan karate styles use the sam chien kata as a highly important form for power development.” chien stance. The idea! posture for ‘meditation and gi gong practice, this fs called tho Tamo's body (Tat Tsun Sin) in ngo cho. KUNG-FU of what we normally see in ordinary fights and tourna- ‘ments. But how do we use the sam chien for fighting? To ‘apply it we must first know its basic structure. ‘There are different ways to adopt this stance, although all share the common characteristic of squeezing in the Upper thigh muscles to protect the groin. Its in the distrib lion of the body weight where they differ: karate san chin tuses 50-50 weight on both legs; southern kung-fu styles se 70-30 or 60-40 on the front and back legs. The ngo cho bible's explanation clearly shows the practicality of this stanoe, To assume the chien beh (a shorter name for sam chien beh/stance), just stand straight, take a step forward as if walking, and sit back on the back leg with 60 percent Of the weight distributed on the back leg and 40 percent on the front leg, with the thighs tucked in, The width and height of the chien beh resemble a boxing stance, with the only difference in the distribution ofthe body weight. Box- ing tends to put the weight forward with the heel of the back leg lifted up. Who can move with more mobilty than a boxer? Try advancing in a rapid pace when you are in a wide horse stance. You will feel awkward like a crab. ‘Most styles would stand up from the horse stance and move forward, a split-second delay in movement telegraph- ing your movernent. ‘The chien beh is structured in such a natural posture that you can easily use it to pursue/close the gap on your oppo- rent. The chien beh is assumed by inverting the right front leg, pigeon-toed, with the left leg parallel to the body. The inverted/twisted position of the front leg makes the tucking in Cf the thighs easier, this postion protects the groin, a vulner- able area that is often exposed during close-quarter combat. Locked in close combat when you and your opponent are within striking range (9). With your right leg directly below his ‘groin, press in with your right hand against his forearm, ‘momentariy focusing hie attention upward (3. This leaves him ‘pen for the groin kick (3). lnsidekuag-tu.com“A slight flick of the front leg can easily hit your groin if it is not protected,” Tilting shoulder when throwing @ roundhouse kick. The author is confronted. (1). The enemy leans to his lef, titing his shoulder ‘down and showing his intention to kick with his right leg (2. As he throws his roundhouse Kick, the defender shift his right leg to tte side to catch his eg with the eft hand (9). As the author left-hand scoops up his leg, he hits his knee or Inner thigh with the right forearm, maiming his right leg (3). Remember, when you close in on your opponent, your groin is directly in front and slightly above his leg. A slight flick of the front leg can easily hit your groin if tis not pro- tected. When you tuck in your thighs, the front knee Is pro- jected forward and this protrusion is utiized as an advantage to attack the opponent's legs. ‘And because your weight isin the back leg, the front eg is easly maneuvered to move in diferent crections/iocations. it can jam into your opponent's leg ort can be inserted. between your opponent's legs to control his center. Ngo cho calls this movement tiong kwan (controling the center). As your front leg jam passes your opponent's center, you break his balance and make it easy to bump him off with 'ngo cho's double palm strike, Examine and compare the ‘accompanying photos shown in moving forward between a horse stance and a chien beh. ‘When you assume the proper chien beh, your body weight should be 60 percent on the back leg and 40 per- Cent on the front leg. This weight distribution makes it eas- ler for you to move your front leg without moving your Upper body, a quality needed in executing a hidden kick or sweep. Ngo cho kicks are made below the waist; any higher kick will make you tit your shoulder in the opposite direction of your kick. For example, when you throw a high roundhouse kick, your left shoulder will tend to tit down, thereby telegraphing or signaling your kick to your oppo- rent. But when you keep your body stable and combine with your hand techniques, your opponent will hardly notice your leg techniques. My late master, Tan Ka Hong, taught this to me, He said that most practitioners today don’t use their styles in actual combat. Whether they are karate or kung-fu stylist, they all move ike kickboxers. ‘The reason for this change in emphasis is their ignorance of the applications and adoptions oftheir respective tech: riques/systers in actual combat. So the next time they spar, look closely at their movement and ask yourselt: do they resemble kung-fu, karate or kickboxing? ‘Alex Co is one of the world's most respected martial artists and freelance writers.